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The Government, along with local government, is sending out a message that, if New Zealanders want improved water quality, they are going to have to accept higher Council rates – and even higher section and house prices.

It was standing room only at the Freshwater Symposium in Wellington yesterday, with Local Government President Lawrence Yule interrupted by a stream of people bringing in extra chairs as he talked of water as "the issue of the moment – in terms of the economy, in terms of the environment and in terms of people's values".